Chiropractic Care For Bulging Discs

Spinal discs are really small structures that can lead to really big problems, even more so when they’re bulging. They can cause severe pain and decrease a person’s mobility. They can also affect anyone at any moment. Chiropractic treatment has proven to be a fast and effective treatment for bulging discs and the severe pain they can cause.

Let’s Define Bulging Discs

Bulging discs are often mistaken with herniated discs, but in reality, they are not the same at all. Imagine the spinal disc as a jelly donut, a hard outer layer, and a softer inside. When there is a hernia located in a disc there is a crack in the outer layer that allows the softer inside to leak. A bulging disc, on the other hand, has no leak on the softer inside. Here, the outer layer is untouched but it’s bulging where the outer layer has weakened.

Symptoms Of A Bulging Disc

When the disc puts pressure on the nerves in your spine, that’s when symptoms begin. Around 90% of bulging discs take place in the lumbar region of the back. Pain can go from there to your hips, buttocks, down to your feet. You can also experience pain in your neck all the way down to your arms and fingers. A bulging disc can cause such severe pain that it will limit mobility completely, in the worst cases.

The following are some of the most common bulging discs symptoms:

• Tingling in the legs
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness in extremities
• Changes in bladder or bowel function
• Radiating pain in limbs
• Pain when moving the neck

The symptoms really depend on where the bulging disc is located in your spine. A chiropractor can easily diagnose a bulging disc with a physical exam and medical history.

Causes Of Bulging Discs

The most common cause may be due to natural aging processes combined with other factors.  Discs become vulnerable over time and people who lead a sedentary lifestyle or smoke increase the possibilities of bulging discs.

There are 3 main causes:

• Repetitive trauma such as poor posture, or repetitive heavy work can lead to disc degeneration and therefore, a bulging disc. These long term injuries are often also associated with poor muscle strength and obesity.
• An injury caused by a car accident or an awkward heavy lift. This increase in pressure on the disc can cause damage and tears.
• Spinal Degeneration. While degeneration of the spine is part of the normal aging process, poor spinal function and posture will speed up disc degeneration.

How a Chiropractor Can Help

Chiropractic care is a natural non-invasive, drug-free treatment, and is preferred by many patients over other traditional treatments. A chiropractor will give a diagnosis and work with the patient on a treatment plan that really addresses the symptoms and the underlying issue.

A chiropractor will look not only at the affected area by the bulging disc but also at the entire spine. This way, he can determine if there is joint dysfunction or restriction somewhere else in the spine on in the body that is adding stress and strain on the disc. 

A chiropractor may include in your treatment spinal adjustments at the site of the problems, as well as exercises. Of course, each patient is treated individually and treatment plans are customized to ensure maximum effectiveness. It will take several sessions to ensure the disc is successfully back to where it needs to be and to make steady progress.

Chiropractic Care For Bulging Discs

Chiropractic treatment for bulging discs is effective, fast, and safe. If you’re suffering from back pain, you may be dealing with bulging discs. Make sure to discuss it with one of our chiropractors here at Mauricio Chiropractic. Schedule an appointment today!

 Chiropractic care has proven to be effective for a number of other different conditions. If you want to learn more, enter your e-mail below. We’ll send you all the information you need.